THE owner of a Birmingham kebab and catering company has been fined after mouse droppings were found throughout his premises.

Environmental health officers swooped on Peshawari Kebab and Medinah Catering Services in Alum Rock Road, Alum Rock, last May after a member of the public complained about the state of the eatery, Birmingham Magistrates’ Court heard.

Chris Howrie, prosecuting on behalf of Birmingham City Council, said: “The officers wanted to investigate the complaint and follow up from a previous inspection in November 2010, when the standards of cleanliness were very poor.

“It was immediately apparent that there were mouse droppings throughout the rear food preparation room, on shelving and on pipework.

“Floor and work surfaces were unclean and showed evidence of dirt accumulated over a significant period of time.

“Hand basins and the potato and onion store were all dirty and gas hobs, a bucket containing kebab skewers and various food containers were in a filthy condition.” Syed Fazle Akbar, aged 50, of Ravensfield Close, Alum Rock, pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching food hygiene regulations.

Ian Gold, defending, said Akbar had run the business for more than six years but was housebound at the time of the inspection due to back and knee operations.

He said Akbar had employed two chefs, two waiters and a manager to run the store in his absence.

“But while the cat was away the mice were quite literally playing at the kebab house,” said Mr Gold. “The staff were being paid but they were not doing their job.

“It came as a great shock to my client to discover the place had been condemned.”

He said Akbar had since sacked the manager and ploughed £3,500 into cleaning up the premises.

He said Akbar earned £250 a week and sent money home to his wife and four children in Pakistan. Magistrates fined him £300 and ordered him to pay £1,279.70 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.